1991 GMC Safari problems & reliability
39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 GMC Safari. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 16 | 41% |
| Power Train | 7 | 18% |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 10% |
| Seats | 4 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 3 | 8% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 8% |
| Equipment | 3 | 8% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 8% |
| Visibility | 3 | 8% |
| Steering | 2 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Loss of brake action due to instant fluid loss. Brake line ruptured due to extreme and isolated corrosion in brakeline located area of gasoline tank (forward of rear axle on driver's side.) no notice or prior events leading to failure. Have noted many internet complaints of this nature and location on both gmc safari…”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Jun 2, 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 gmc safari. The contact noticed that the abs warning indicator consistently illuminates on the instrument panel. Secondly, when applying pressure to the brake pedal, the vehicle skids. He is in the process of notifying a dealer in reference to the failures. The failure mileage was 174,000…”
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · filed Mar 27, 2009
“I have had more transmission problems from my 1991 gmc safari mini van than all other previous vehicles I've ever owned. I'm looking at my third transmission overhaul soon (seems like one every two years) and I don't drive fast and don't have a hitch to "pull" anything. Currently, my transmission slips into…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Apr 22, 2004
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- INSTRUMENT PANEL/DASH ELECTRICAL FIRE
Preliminary Evaluation PE97025 · opened Jun 12, 1997 · closed Nov 26, 1997
- SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE
Engineering Analysis EA92022 · opened Jun 24, 1992 · closed Nov 19, 1993 · led to recall 93V187000
- BRAKE FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA91028 · opened Jun 10, 1991 · closed Jun 30, 1992
- BRAKE FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE91052 · opened Feb 22, 1991 · closed Jun 10, 1991
Technical service bulletins
9 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1991 GMC Safari.
General motors: on all 1988-2009 full size chevrolet/gmc pickups, utilities and vans, the brake pedal will move down or self apply during full lock turns or near full lock turns. Chevrolet astro and gmc safari vans…
PIT-3665-A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2010
Diagnosis of cracked or broken transmission case. *tt 2006 and prior cars and light duty trucks. *tt
020730024A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2005
Window regulator motor does not fit. *tt
01667 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Diagnostic information for intermittent transmission downshift, slip, busy/cycling tcc or noisy cooling fan. *tt
990730016A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2002
COLD ENGINE KNOCK. *TW
376105 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1995
UNKNOWN
CAMP/91C50 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1995
California recall - general motors has determined that certain 1991 c/k trucks, m/l and g vans with 4.3l engines may be emitting non-methane hydrocarbons in excess of california emission standards. To correct this…
RCL/91C50 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1995
Oil pressure gauge reading concerns. *tw
476149 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1994
Transmission extention seal leaks. *tw
467108 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1994
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1991 GMC Safari in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1991 GMC Safari?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.